Antonio French

September 2015

August marks the one year anniversary of the shooting of Michael Brown, and the subsequent civil unrest in Ferguson, Missouri. The demonstrations in Ferguson triggered a cascade of protests nationwide against similar incidents involving law enforcement, a DOJ investigation into the Ferguson police department, the White House commissioning the Task Force on 21st Century Policing, and the now famous “hands up, don’t shoot” rallying cry. St. Louis Alderman Antonio French directed national attention on social media through his coverage of the crisis. This was no new feat for our DMO of the Month for September, and his constant efforts to cast a spotlight on injustice and end violence in his community.

For young people across the nation, the events of Ferguson unfurled over Twitter, Vine, and other social media platforms. Events that would have otherwise gone unreported were instead captured by citizens uploading photos and footage, French one among many. However his notability as an elected official lent particular authority to his posts online. Alderman French’s twitter updates stood as an official blow by blow for many following the civil unrest in the wake of Brown’s death. French himself was arrested for “unlawful assembly” while seeking refuge from tear gas inside his car. His account of the protests in Ferguson reflects a dynamic mixture of anger, frustration, and demands for justice set against the backdrop of property damage that became the story for mainstream journalists.

French launched #HealSTL as a response to the Ferguson protests. The organization seeks defend civil rights and enfranchise civilians, mending the societal wounds that lead to flashpoints like Ferguson. The #HealSTL office provides space to conduct trainings on protester rights, register voters, connect young people with jobs, and rebuild a sense of community.

Although Antonio French was one of many activists documenting and organizing during the Ferguson protests, his status as an elected official allowed him to also champion legislation in the aftermath of the crisis. French sponsored a bill creating a civilian oversight panel to review complaints against police officers. The bill passed, giving the Civilian Oversight Board the power to investigate misconduct, assess policies, recommend changes, and review evidence and witness statements independent of law enforcement’s internal review process. Last year’s demonstrations in Ferguson served as clear call to action for French to address the same frustrations expressed by residents in nearby St. Louis.

Alderman French’s activism began long before he covered the protests in Ferguson. He is the founder of The North Campus, a community education program that provides tutoring services after school and on weekends. Alderman French also pioneered the “block-by-block” method of neighborhood reclamation. One day each month volunteers from the community, non-profits, and corporations tackle one block at a time to give makeovers to local homes. This concentrates labor forces and saves city funds, renovating ten times as many houses for half the cost. It also draws massive attention to areas that gangs rely on people overlooking in order to conduct criminal activity.

French worked with police to install and operate a $600,000 camera system monitoring the 21st Ward. These cameras are credited with cutting homicides in the area by 80%. He also organizes a “safe zone” program each Halloween to bring parents and children into the streets for a night of fun. Much of French’s local activism is centered on encouraging community members to take back their space from crime, violence, and fear.

DMOs are known for their innovative strategies, using their political authority to make changes within the system. Advents like social media allow DMOs to connect with the public and spur change outside the constraints of office. Alderman Antonio French seeks every avenue available to bring attention to his community’s needs. Since the demonstrations in Ferguson one year ago, America has renewed our efforts to take action against racial disparity and systemic violence. That violence takes many forms, including less obvious ones like insufficient education and housing opportunities, and the persistent threat of harm in public spaces. Alderman French not only strives to bring national attention to the violence his community faces, but works both within and beyond the political system to ensure its future safety. As we highlight French as our DMO of the Month for September, every DMO should use this month as an opportunity to reexamine the societal problems French fights to bring to light.

Antonio French is enjoying his second term as the Alderman of St Louis’ 21st ward. Prior to taking office he ran his own political consulting firm and served as the ward’s Democratic Committeeman. His advocacy started early, publishing his own newspaper on statewide politics in his early 20s. French’s criticism of Missouri’s government did not prevent the Riverfront Times from naming him “Best Local Politician” in 2010. While in office he completed his Executive MBA degree at Washington University.